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Radioactivity
Question Paper 1
Level
Edexcel
Subject
Physics
Exam Board
GCSE(9-1)
Topic
Radioactivity
Sub Topic
Radioactivity
Booklet
Question Paper 1
Time Allowed:
59 minutes
Score:
/49
Percentage:
/100
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Using radiation in hospitals
1 Hospitals use ionising radiation for many purposes.
(a) State one use of ionising radiation in a hospital.
(1)
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(b) An isotope of technicium, technicium-99, has a half-life of 6 hours.
A hospital has a sample which contains 40 mg of technicium-99.
Calculate how much technicium-99 will be in this sample after 12 hours.
(2)
amount remaining = .............................. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . mg
(c) Every hospital radiographer who works with radiation wears a radiation badge.
The badge is used to monitor the amount of radiation the radiographer absorbs
each month.
(i) Explain why it is important to monitor the amount of radiation a radiographer
absorbs each month.
(2)
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(ii) Radiographers are restricted to a smaller annual dose of radiation nowadays
compared to 50 years ago.
Complete the sentence by putting a cross ( ) in the box next to your answer.
This is because nowadays,
(1)
A the radioactive sources have decayed
B we can measure radiation more accurately
C we have a better understanding of the risks from radiation
D we have more effective ways of shielding against radiation
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*(iii) The radiation badge contains a photographic film which is sensitive to radiation.
side view
radiation
photographic film
in light-proof paper
jacket
radiation
badge
lead
paper
aluminium
The radiation badge is sent to a laboratory after a month and the film is
checked.
Explain how the badge shows the amount of different types of radiation that
the radiographer has been exposed to.
(6)
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(Total for Question 6 = 12 marks)
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Nuclear power
2 Many countries generate electricity using nuclear fission.
(a) The decay products from nuclear fission emit different types of ionising radiation.
Draw one line from each type of radiation to its correct description.
(2)
type of radiation
description
alpha
electromagnetic
wave
beta
electron
gamma
helium nucleus
(b) There are both fuel rods and control rods inside each fission reactor.
Explain how pushing control rods between the fuel rods changes the rate of
nuclear fission in the reactor.
(2)
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(c) Engineers are trying to generate electricity using the energy from nuclear fusion reactions.
(i) Complete the sentence by putting a cross ( ) in the box next to your answer.
High temperatures and pressures are needed in a nuclear fusion reactor.
This is to overcome
(1)
A the kinetic energy of nuclei
B the electrostatic repulsion of protons
C the magnetic repulsion of neutrons
D nuclear fission
(ii) Describe what happens to nuclei in a nuclear fusion reaction.
(2)
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(Total for Question 1 = 7 marks)
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Radiation from rocks
3 (a) One isotope of the element potassium is potassium-40.
A nucleus of potassium-40 is represented by:
40
19
K
(i) Complete the sentence by putting a cross ( ) in the box next to your answer.
The number of neutrons in a nucleus of potassium-40 is
(1)
A 19
B 21
C 40
D 59
(ii) Which of these symbols is correct for the nucleus of a different isotope of
potassium?
Put a cross ( ) in the box next to your answer.
(1)
39
19
K
A
40
20
K
B
19
40
K
39
20
K
C
D
(iii) A sample of potassium-40 is left for a long time.
Some of the potassium-40 nuclei will emit gamma radiation as they turn into
argon-40 nuclei.
Argon-40 nuclei never change.
Describe what information this gives about the isotope potassium-40.
(2)
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(b) Some rocks containing
potassium
were
of years ago.
There was no argon-40 in the rocks when they were formed.
When scientists analyse samples of these rocks, they find small amounts of
argon-40 trapped inside.
The graph shows how the relative amounts of potassium-40 and argon-40 change
over time.
100 –
90 –
argon-40
80 –
70 –
relative
number of
atoms
60 –
50 –
40 –
30 –
20 –
potassium-40
4000
–
2000
3000
time in millions of years
–
–
1000
–
–
0–
0
–
10 –
5000
(i) Use the graph to find the half-life of potassium-40.
(1)
half-life = ........................................................................... million years
(ii) Scientists analyse a sample taken from inside a rock.
They find that there is exactly 3 times as much argon-40 as there is potassium-40.
Use the graph to find the age of the rock.
(2)
age of rock = ........................................................................... million years
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(c) Some other rocks contained uranium when they were formed.
Radioactive decay in these rocks produces radon gas.
Explain why people living near these rocks have an increased health risk from
background radiation.
(3)
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(Total for Question 4 = 10 marks)
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Radioactivity and atoms
4 The diagram shows an atom of carbon.
A, B and C are three different particles.
A
B
Not to scale
Key
A
B
C
C
(a) (i) Name the three different particles shown.
(3)
A = . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ...
B = . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..
C = ..................................................................... .
(ii) What is the mass (nucleon) number of this carbon atom?
(1)
............................................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
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(b) Which one of these statements about alpha radiation is correct?
Put a cross ( ) in the box next to your answer.
(1)
A Alpha radiation has no charge.
B Alpha radiation is very ionising.
C Alpha radiation travels very far in air.
D Alpha radiation is an electromagnetic wave.
(c) Choose words from the box to complete the following sentences.
Words may be used once, more than once or not at all.
alpha
b
on
The radiation that is a wave is . . . . . . . . . ..............................................................
(1)
The particle that is negatively charged is .......................................................................
(1)
(d) When an atom emits an alpha particle its nucleus changes.
Which describes the changes in the nucleus?
Put a cross ( ) in the box next to your answer.
(1)
proton number
mass number
A
decreases by 2
decreases by 4
B
increases by 2
decreases by 4
C
decreases by 2
increases by 4
D
increases by 2
increases by 4
(Total for Question 1 = 8 marks)
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Radiation in medicine
5 (a) Many different types of radiation are used by doctors.
Which type of radiation comes from radioactive sources?
Put a cross ( ) in the box next to your answer.
(1)
A gamma rays
B ultrasound
C ultraviolet
D X-rays
(b) Explain how radiation from radioactive sources can be dangerous to people.
(2)
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(c) Medical staff who use radioactive materials need more protection than their
patients.
Describe some precautions that medical staff can take to ensure their safety from
radioactive materials.
(3)
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*(d) Describe how radioactive materials can be used in the diagnosis and treatment
of some illnesses.
(6)
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. . . . . . .................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ........................................................................................................................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . .................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ........................................................................................................................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . .................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ........................................................................................................................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . .................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ........................................................................................................................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . .................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ........................................................................................................................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . .................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ........................................................................................................................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . .................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ........................................................................................................................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . .................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ........................................................................................................................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . .................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ........................................................................................................................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . .................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ........................................................................................................................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . .................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ........................................................................................................................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(Total for Question 6 = 12 marks)
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Radioactivity
Question Paper 2
Level
Edexcel
Subject
Physics
Exam Board
GCSE(9-1)
Topic
Radioactivity
Sub Topic
Radioactivity
Booklet
Question Paper 2
Time Allowed:
56 minutes
Score:
/46
Percentage:
/100
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Medical uses of radiation
1 (a) Many different types of radioactive isotope are used for the diagnosis and
treatment of medical conditions.
(i) Iodine-123 is used as a radioactive tracer to diagnose thyroid problems.
Complete the sentence by putting a cross ( ) in the box next to your answer.
This tracer must have a half-life of
(1)
A a few days
B a few hours
C less than a second
D several weeks
(ii) Pellets which contain radium-223 can be put inside the body to treat cancers.
Radium-223 has a half-life of 11.4 days and emits alpha radiation.
Explain why radium-223 is suitable for use inside the body to treat cancers.
(3)
. . . . . . . ................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ........................................................................................................................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . ................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ........................................................................................................................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . ................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ........................................................................................................................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . ................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ........................................................................................................................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . ................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ........................................................................................................................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . ................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ........................................................................................................................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . `
(b) Radiotherapy is often used for palliative care when cancers are incurable.
Explain how using radiotherapy in this way is helpful to patients.
(2)
. . . . . . . ................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ........................................................................................................................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . .................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ............................................................................................................................................ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . .................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ............................................................................................................................................ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . .................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ............................................................................................................................................ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . .................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ............................................................................................................................................ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
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(c) The table gives the average dose of radiation a person received from various
sources.
radiation source
average yearly background
one chest X-ray
average radiation dose
(arbitrary units)
3000
20
one CT scan of the chest
6000
one whole body CT scan
20000
one PET scan
6000
(i) Explain why a CT scan of the chest gives a much higher dose of radiation than
a chest X-ray.
(2)
. . . . . . .................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ........................................................................................................................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . .................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ........................................................................................................................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . .................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ........................................................................................................................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . .................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ........................................................................................................................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(ii) Justify the use of medical procedures which give patients large doses of
radiation.
(2)
. . . . . . .................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ........................................................................................................................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . .................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ........................................................................................................................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . .................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ........................................................................................................................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . .................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ........................................................................................................................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(Total for Question 4 = 10 marks)
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Radioactive material
2 (a) The diagram represents an atom of carbon.
neutron
particle X
particle Y
NOT to
scale
(i) State the name of particle X.
(1)
. . . . . . . .................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ............................................................................................................................................ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(ii) State the name of particle Y.
(1)
. . . . . . . .................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ............................................................................................................................................ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(b) Iodine-131 is a radioactive isotope of iodine.
The graph shows how the activity of a sample of iodine-131 decreases with time.
160
activity / Bq
140
120
100
80
60
40
20
0
0 4 8 12 16 20 24 28 32 36 40
time / days
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(i) Use the graph to calculate the half-life of iodine-131.
(2)
half-life = .......... . . . . . . . . . . . . . days
(ii) Another sample of iodine-131 has an activity of 800 Bq.
Calculate how long it will take before its activity decreases to 200 Bq.
(2)
time = .......... . . . . . . . . . . . . . days
*(c) There are plans to build more nuclear power stations to supply electricity to the
National Grid.
Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of using nuclear power to generate
electricity.
(6)
. . . . . . . ................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ............................................................................................................................................ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . ................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ............................................................................................................................................ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . ................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ............................................................................................................................................ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . ................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ............................................................................................................................................ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . ................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ............................................................................................................................................ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . ................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ............................................................................................................................................ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . ................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ............................................................................................................................................ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . ................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ............................................................................................................................................ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . ................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ............................................................................................................................................ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . ................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ............................................................................................................................................ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . ................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ............................................................................................................................................ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . ................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ............................................................................................................................................ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(Total for Question 5 = 12 marks)
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Using radioactive materials
3 (a) In some countries food is sold with this label.
TREATED BY
IRRADIATION
This food has been deliberately exposed to gamma radiation.
Complete the sentence by putting a cross ( ) in the box next to your answer.
The gamma radiation is used to
(1)
A produce cancer cells in the food
B kill cancer cells in the food
C kill microbes in the food
D make the food radioactive.
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(b) Cobalt-60 is one source of gamma radiation used for food irradiation.
This graph shows how the activity of a sample of cobalt-60 changes over 10 years.
10 000 –
9000 –
8000 –
7000 –
activity /
Bq
6000 –
5000 –
4000 –
3000 –
2000 –
1000 –
0–
0
2
4
6
8
10
time / years
(i) Use the graph to find the half-life of cobalt-60.
(2)
half-life = ............................. . . . . . . . . . . . years
(ii) The cobalt-60 has to be replaced when its activity has fallen below 1000 Bq.
Estimate how long it takes for the activity to fall from 8000 Bq to 1000 Bq.
(1)
time taken = ............................. . . . . . . . . . . . years
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(c) The cobalt-60 sources used to irradiate the food are small metal rods about the
size of a pencil. They are made from stable cobalt-59 which is put inside a nuclear
reactor. Some of the cobalt-59 is turned into cobalt-60 by the radiation in the
reactor.
(i) The nuclei of the two isotopes can be represented as
60
27
Co
59
27
Co
Compare these two isotopes of cobalt.
(2)
. . . . . . . .................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ............................................................................................................................................ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . .................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ............................................................................................................................................ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . .................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ............................................................................................................................................ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . .................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ............................................................................................................................................ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
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*(ii) When it is time to replace the cobalt-60 rods there are two options.
x
The rods can be disposed of.
x
The rods can be transported to a nuclear reactor to turn more of the
cobalt-59 into cobalt-60 so that they can be used again.
Discuss the hazards in these two options.
(6)
. . . . . . .................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ........................................................................................................................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . .................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ........................................................................................................................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . .................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ........................................................................................................................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . .................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ........................................................................................................................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . .................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ........................................................................................................................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . .................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ........................................................................................................................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . .................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ........................................................................................................................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . .................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ........................................................................................................................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . .................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ........................................................................................................................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . .................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ........................................................................................................................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . .................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ........................................................................................................................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . .................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ........................................................................................................................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(Total for Question 6 = 12 marks)
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Electromagnetic spectrum
4 The electromagnetic spectrum is continuous.
Different regions of the spectrum have different properties.
(a) (i) Name an electromagnetic wave that is also an ionising radiation.
(1)
................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ........................................................................................................................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(ii) Genuine banknotes contain a special ink.
This ink is invisible under normal light.
Suggest why the ink glows when ultraviolet radiation is shone on it.
(2)
................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ........................................................................................................................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ........................................................................................................................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ........................................................................................................................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ........................................................................................................................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(b) An electromagnetic wave has a frequency of 7 × 109 Hz.
The speed of the wave is 3 × 108 m/s.
Calculate the wavelength of the wave.
(3)
wavelength = .................................. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . m
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*(c) Radiation from different regions of the electromagnetic spectrum can affect the
human body in many ways.
Discuss the different ways in which excessive exposure to electromagnetic
radiations of various frequencies may cause damage to the human body.
(6)
.......................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ............................................................................................................................................ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
.......................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ............................................................................................................................................ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
.......................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ............................................................................................................................................ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
.......................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ............................................................................................................................................ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
.......................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ............................................................................................................................................ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
.......................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ............................................................................................................................................ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
.......................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ............................................................................................................................................ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
.......................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ............................................................................................................................................ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
.......................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ............................................................................................................................................ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
.......................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ............................................................................................................................................ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
.......................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ............................................................................................................................................ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
.......................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ............................................................................................................................................ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(Total for Question 5 = 12 marks)
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Radioactivity
Question Paper 3
Level
Edexcel
Subject
Physics
Exam Board
GCSE(9-1)
Topic
Radioactivity
Sub Topic
Radioactivity
Booklet
Question Paper 3
Time Allowed:
56 minutes
Score:
/46
Percentage:
/100
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1 (a) Here are four uses of radioactivity.
Draw a line from each one of them to the type of radiation it uses.
Each type of radiation may be chosen once, more than once or not at all.
Use of radioactivity
Type of radiation it uses
sterilisation of medical equipment
alpha
household fire (smoke) alarm
beta
gauging thickness of cardboard
gamma
irradiating food
(4)
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(b) Which graph best shows how the activity of a radioactive isotope changes with
time?
Put a cross ( ) in the box next to your answer.
activity
(1)
activity
time
time
A
B
activity
activity
time
C
time
D
(c) Complete the sentence by putting a cross ( ) in the box next to your answer.
The unit of activity of a radioactive isotope is the
A americium
B becquerel
C einstein
D radium
(1)
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(d)
Marie Curie investigated radioactivity over 100 years ago.
She often carried radioactive materials in her pocket.
She stored them in her desk drawer.
She liked the coloured light they gave off.
Marie probably died from exposure to their radiation.
Describe two precautions that scientists now take when they use radioactive
materials.
(2)
. . ..................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ............................................................................................................................................ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . ..................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ............................................................................................................................................ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . ..................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ............................................................................................................................................ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . ..................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ............................................................................................................................................ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(Total for Question 1 = 8 marks)
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Uranium-238
2 Uranium-238 is an isotope of uranium. It may undergo either radioactive decay or
nuclear fission.
A nucleus of uranium-238 is shown as Q in the chart.
94
N
92
Q
O
atomic
number
90
88
M
P
230
234
L
86
226
238
mass number
(a) State two letters from the chart which show isotopes of the same element.
................. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(1)
and . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(b) Explain what happens when Q decays to P.
(2)
. . . . ................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ........................................................................................................................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . ................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ........................................................................................................................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . ................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ........................................................................................................................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . ................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ........................................................................................................................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(c) Explain what happens when P decays to O.
(2)
. . . . ................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ........................................................................................................................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . ................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ........................................................................................................................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . ................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ........................................................................................................................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . ................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ........................................................................................................................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
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(d) Particles released during radioactive decay can have different energies.
A suitable unit for these energies is MeV.
For one type of decay, the particles released have energies between 4.0 MeV and
10.0 MeV.
The graph shows how far the particles with these energies travel in air.
15.0
10.0
distance
travelled in
air / cm
5.0
0.0
4.0
5.0
6.0
7.0
8.0
9.0
10.0
energy of particle released / MeV
(i) State the name of this type of particle.
(1)
. . . . . . ................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ........................................................................................................................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(ii) Use information from the graph to describe how the distance travelled in air
depends on the energy of the particle.
(2)
. . . . . . ................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ........................................................................................................................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . ................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ........................................................................................................................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . ................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ........................................................................................................................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . ................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ........................................................................................................................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(e) Uranium-238 can only undergo nuclear fission by absorbing fast neutrons.
The fission emits neutrons which very quickly lose their energy.
Suggest why the fission of uranium-238 does not produce a chain reaction.
(2)
. . . . . . ................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ........................................................................................................................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . ................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ........................................................................................................................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . ................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ........................................................................................................................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . ................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ........................................................................................................................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(Total for Question 4 = 10 marks)
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Radioactivity
3 (a) An underground oil pipe starts to leak oil.
To find the leak, a technician adds a gamma source to the oil flowing in the pipe.
Describe how the technician can find the position of the leak.
(2)
. .................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ............................................................................................................................................ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. .................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ............................................................................................................................................ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. .................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ............................................................................................................................................ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. .................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ............................................................................................................................................ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(b) Which of these is correct for half-life?
Put a cross ( ) in the box next to your answer.
A It is half the time for all the atoms to decay
B It is the time it takes for an atom to half decay
C It is the time it takes for half an atom to decay
D It is the time it takes for half the atoms to decay
(1)
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(c) The graph shows how the activity of a sample of a radioactive material changes
with time.
The sample has an initial activity of 80 counts per minute.
80
70
60
50
activity / counts
40
per minute
30
20
10
0
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
time / days
(i) Use the graph to find the half-life of the material.
(1)
half life = . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . days
(ii) Another sample of the material has an initial count rate of 40 counts per
minute.
Sketch, on the same axes, the activity of this sample for the first 4 days.
(2)
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*(d) Some scientists carry out an experiment to measure the radioactivity from a
source to be used in a factory.
They measure the background radiation before and after their experiment.
They take the background count at the same place as they do their experiment.
Explain how this procedure helps to make sure that the results of the experiment
are valid.
(6)
. . . .................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ........................................................................................................................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . .................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ........................................................................................................................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . .................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ........................................................................................................................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . .................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ........................................................................................................................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . .................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ........................................................................................................................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . .................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ........................................................................................................................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . .................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ........................................................................................................................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . .................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ........................................................................................................................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . .................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ........................................................................................................................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . .................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ........................................................................................................................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . .................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ........................................................................................................................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . .................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ........................................................................................................................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(Total for Question 6 = 12 marks)
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Atoms and radioactivity
4 The diagram shows the structure of an atom.
electron
proton
neutron
nucleus
(a) (i) Complete the sentence by putting a cross ( ) in the box next to your answer.
The size of the charge on each electron is
(1)
A a third of the charge on the proton
B half the charge on the proton
C the same as the charge on the proton
D twice the charge on the proton
(ii) Complete the sentence by putting a cross ( ) in the box next to your answer.
The atomic number of a neutral atom is always the same as the number of
A electrons
B electrons and neutrons
C protons and neutrons
D neutrons
(1)
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(b) The element radium has a radioactive isotope, radium-226.
226
This can be written as 88Ra.
This radioactive isotope emits alpha particles.
The alpha particle has a mass number of 4 and contains two protons.
Using the numbers in the box complete the following sentences.
82
84
86
90
(i) When an alpha particle is emitted by
222
226
224
228
230
Ra the mass number
88
becomes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(ii) When an alpha particle is emitted by
(1)
226
Ra the atomic number
88
becomes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(1)
(c) Describe how the emissions from radioactive substances can be dangerous to
living things.
(2)
. . . . ................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ............................................................................................................................................ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . ................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ............................................................................................................................................ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . ................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ............................................................................................................................................ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
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(d) Explain one precaution that is taken in hospitals to limit the risks of exposure to
radiation.
(2)
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. . . . ................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ............................................................................................................................................ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . ................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ............................................................................................................................................ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . ................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ............................................................................................................................................ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(Total for Question 1 = 8 marks)
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X-rays
5 (a) The diagram shows X-rays being produced when fast moving electrons hit a
metal target.
filament
electron
cathode
anode
X-rays
(i) Complete the sentence by putting a cross ( ) in the box next to your answer.
The X-rays that have most energy have the
(1)
A greatest mass
B highest frequency
C highest speed
D longest wavelength
(ii) Complete the sentence by putting a cross ( ) in the box next to your answer.
Electrons travel to the target because it is
A magnetised
B negatively charged
C neutral
D positively charged
(1)
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(iii) Explain what is meant by thermionic emission.
(2)
. .................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ............................................................................................................................................ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. .................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ............................................................................................................................................ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. .................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ............................................................................................................................................ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. .................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ............................................................................................................................................ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(iv) Suggest why there must be a vacuum in the glass tube.
(1)
. .................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ............................................................................................................................................ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. .................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ............................................................................................................................................ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(b) The potential difference between the filament and metal target in an X-ray tube is
40 kV.
The charge on an electron is 1.6 × 10–19 C and its mass is 9.1 × 10–31 kg.
Calculate the speed of an electron as it reaches the target.
(3)
speed of electron = .......................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . m/s
(Total for Question 2 = 8 marks)
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Radioactivity
Question Paper 4
Level
Edexcel
Subject
Physics
Exam Board
GCSE(9-1)
Topic
Radioactivity
Sub Topic
Radioactivity
Booklet
Question Paper 4
Time Allowed:
58 minutes
Score:
/48
Percentage:
/100
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Nuclear reactions
1 (a) The nucleus of an atom of cobalt-60 can be represented by the symbol
60
27
Co
(i) Use numbers from the box to complete the following sentences.
(2)
27
33
60
87
The number of protons in an atom of cobalt-60 is ..........................
The number of neutrons in an atom of cobalt-60 is ..........................
(ii) Complete the sentence by putting a cross ( ) in the box next to your answer.
Atoms are neutral. An atom can become an ion by losing
(1)
A an electron
B a neutron
C a gamma ray
D an X-ray
(iii) Cobalt-60 is radioactive.
It emits beta radiation and gamma radiation.
Describe the differences between beta radiation and gamma radiation.
(3)
. . . . . . ..................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ........................................................................................................................................... . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
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*(b) Fission and fusion are two different types of nuclear reaction.
Describe the similarities and differences between nuclear fission reactions and
nuclear fusion reactions.
(6)
. . . . . . . ................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ............................................................................................................................................. . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . ................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ............................................................................................................................................. . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
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. . . . . . . ................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ............................................................................................................................................. . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . ................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ............................................................................................................................................. . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . ................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ............................................................................................................................................. . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . ................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ............................................................................................................................................. . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . ................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ............................................................................................................................................. . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
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. . . . . . . ................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ............................................................................................................................................. . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . ................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ............................................................................................................................................. . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(Total for Question 5 = 12 marks)
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Radioactivity – natural and useful
2 (a) (i) One source of background radiation is radon gas.
State another source of background radiation.
(1)
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(ii) Which of these two statements about background radiation are correct?
1
Radon gas from nuclear power stations is the main cause of background
radiation.
2
Background radiation can be detected during radioactive experiments.
(1)
A statement 1 only
B statement 2 only
C both statement 1 and statement 2
D neither statement 1 nor statement 2
(iii) Background radiation from radon gas is different from place to place in the
UK.
Explain these differences in background radiation.
(2)
. . . . . . ..................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ........................................................................................................................................... . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
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(b) Scientists have changed their ideas about the hazards from radioactive sources.
Describe how their ideas have changed since radioactivity was first discovered.
(2)
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*(c) The diagram shows how rollers can change the thickness of paper in a factory.
A thickness gauge controls the rollers.
The thickness gauge contains a radioactive source and a detector.
If the paper is too thick, the reading on the detector goes down.
This causes the rollers to be pushed closer together.
radioactive
source
roller
paper
radioactivity
detector
The radioactive source used must be chosen carefully to be effective and used in
a way that is not a hazard to workers.
Discuss the factors to consider when choosing and using this radioactive source.
(6)
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. . . . . . .................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ........................................................................................................................................... . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . .................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ........................................................................................................................................... . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . .................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ........................................................................................................................................... . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . .................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ........................................................................................................................................... . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . .................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ........................................................................................................................................... . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . .................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ........................................................................................................................................... . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . .................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ........................................................................................................................................... . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . .................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ........................................................................................................................................... . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . .................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ........................................................................................................................................... . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . .................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ........................................................................................................................................... . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . .................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ........................................................................................................................................... . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(Total for Question 6 = 12 marks)
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Radioactivity and health
3 (a) Radioactive materials can be a risk to health.
Some food contains radioactive material.
Explain why people can eat this food without serious risk.
(2)
. . . . . . ..................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ........................................................................................................................................... . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . ..................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ........................................................................................................................................... . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . ..................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ........................................................................................................................................... . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . ..................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ........................................................................................................................................... . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(b) A radioactive material can be used to help diagnose heart disease.
The graph shows the decay curve for this material.
800
activity / Bq
400
0
0
25
50
75
100
125
150
time / days
(i) A scientist measures the activity of a sample of this material as 400 Bq.
Some time later, he measures the activity as 100 Bq.
Put a cross ( ) in the box next to your answer.
The time between the two measurements is about
(1)
A
25 days
B
50 days
C
75 days
D 100 days
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(ii) Estimate the activity that should appear on the graph for a time of 150 days.
(1)
activity at 150 days = ........................................ Bq
(c) Half-life is an important factor to consider when choosing isotopes for medical
treatments.
Explain what half-life means.
(2)
. . . . . . . .................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ............................................................................................................................................ . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . .................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ............................................................................................................................................ . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . .................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ............................................................................................................................................ . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . .................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ............................................................................................................................................ . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
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*(d) A teacher decides to model how a machine checks the level of the liquid in
medicine bottles.
The machine uses a radioactive source to sound an alarm when the level of liquid
becomes too low.
He sets up the arrangement shown.
sensor which reacts
to the amount of
light reaching it
lamp
to circuit
card moves
card
The piece of card can be moved up and down between the lamp and the detector.
Each part of the teacher’s arrangement corresponds to a part of the machine.
By comparing the parts of the teacher’s arrangement to the parts of the machine,
discuss how effective this model is.
(6)
. . . . . . .................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ........................................................................................................................................... . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . .................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ........................................................................................................................................... . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . .................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ........................................................................................................................................... . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . .................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ........................................................................................................................................... . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . .................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ........................................................................................................................................... . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . .................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ........................................................................................................................................... . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . .................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ........................................................................................................................................... . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . .................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ........................................................................................................................................... . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . .................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ........................................................................................................................................... . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . .................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ........................................................................................................................................... . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . .................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ........................................................................................................................................... . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . .................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ........................................................................................................................................... . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(Total for Question 6 = 12 marks)
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Living with radioactivity
4 Everyone is exposed to background radiation. Some of this radiation comes from
natural sources.
(a) (i) One example of a source of background radiation that does not occur
naturally is radiotherapy.
State one other source of background radiation that does not occur naturally.
(1)
. . . . . . ..................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ........................................................................................................................................... . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . ..................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ........................................................................................................................................... . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(ii) Radon gas is a natural source of background radiation.
In some parts of the country, a lot of the background radiation comes from
radon gas.
Explain why there is no radon gas in some other parts of the country.
(2)
. . . . . . ..................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ........................................................................................................................................... . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . ..................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ........................................................................................................................................... . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . ..................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ........................................................................................................................................... . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . ..................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ........................................................................................................................................... . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
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(b) Technetium-99 is one of the radioactive isotopes in nuclear waste.
The graph shows the decay curve for technetium-99.
1600 –
activity / Bq
1400 –
1200 –
1000 –
800 –
600 –
400 –
200 –
–
–
–
–
–
–
0–
0
100 000
200 000
300 000
400 000
500 000
time / years
(i) Use the graph to show that the half-life of technetium-99 is about 200 000
years.
(2)
(ii) Technetium-99 emits beta particles.
Give one reason that beta particles can cause harm to people.
(1)
. . . . . . ..................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ........................................................................................................................................... . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . ..................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ........................................................................................................................................... . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
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*(c) There are many radioactive isotopes in nuclear waste.
Technetium-99 is just one of these isotopes.
People are worried about how we should deal with nuclear waste.
Explain why it is difficult to deal with nuclear waste safely.
(6)
. . . . . . .................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ........................................................................................................................................... . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . .................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ........................................................................................................................................... . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . .................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ........................................................................................................................................... . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . .................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ........................................................................................................................................... . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . .................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ........................................................................................................................................... . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . .................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ........................................................................................................................................... . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . .................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ........................................................................................................................................... . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . .................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ........................................................................................................................................... . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . .................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ........................................................................................................................................... . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . .................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ........................................................................................................................................... . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . .................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ........................................................................................................................................... . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . .................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ........................................................................................................................................... . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . .................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ........................................................................................................................................... . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . .................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ........................................................................................................................................... . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(Total for Question 5 = 12 marks)
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Radioactivity
Question Paper 5
Level
Edexcel
Subject
Physics
Exam Board
GCSE(9-1)
Topic
Radioactivity
Sub Topic
Radioactivity
Booklet
Question Paper 5
Time Allowed:
59 minutes
Score:
/49
Percentage:
/100
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Carbon dating
1 Carbon-14 is a radioactive isotope that occurs naturally.
Scientists use carbon-14 to help find the age of old pieces of wood.
This technique is called carbon dating.
It uses the idea of half-life.
(a) Which of these describes half-life?
Put a cross ( ) in the box next to your answer.
(1)
A the time it takes for half of the undecayed nuclei to decay
B the time it takes for all of the undecayed nuclei to decay
C half the time it takes for all of the undecayed nuclei to decay
D half the time it takes for half of the undecayed nuclei to decay
(b) Sketch a graph to show how the activity of a radioactive isotope changes with
time.
Use the axes below. Start your line from point P.
(3)
P
0
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(c) A scientist investigates an old wooden comb.
The activity of the carbon-14 in it is 0.55 Bq.
The estimated age of the comb is 11 400 years.
The half-life of carbon-14 is 5700 years.
(i) Calculate the activity of the carbon-14 in the comb when it was new.
(3)
activity = ............................................ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Bq
(ii) The scientist takes several readings of background radiation.
Explain why this is necessary to improve the accuracy of the investigation.
(2)
. . . . . . .................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ........................................................................................................................................... . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . .................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ........................................................................................................................................... . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . .................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ........................................................................................................................................... . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . .................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ........................................................................................................................................... . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . .................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ........................................................................................................................................... . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
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(iii) Old objects like the comb emit a very small amount of radiation.
The activity from the comb is about the same as comes from background
radiation.
Scientists have stopped measuring the activity of carbon-14 for carbon dating.
Instead, they can measure the mass of undecayed carbon-14 left in the
sample.
Suggest a reason for this change.
(1)
. . . . . . .................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ........................................................................................................................................... . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . .................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ........................................................................................................................................... . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . .................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ........................................................................................................................................... . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(Total for Question 4 = 10 marks)
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Ionising radiation
2 Alpha, beta and gamma are types of ionising radiation.
(a) State two ways in which gamma radiation is different from alpha radiation.
(2)
. . . . . . ..................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ........................................................................................................................................... . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . ..................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ........................................................................................................................................... . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . ..................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ........................................................................................................................................... . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . ..................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ........................................................................................................................................... . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(b) (i) Complete the sentence by putting a cross ( ) in the box next to your answer.
A beta particle is emitted by
(1)
A an alpha particle
B a fusion particle
C a gamma ray
D an unstable nucleus
(ii) Complete the sentence by putting a cross ( ) in the box next to your answer.
A beta particle has an identical charge to
(1)
A an alpha particle
B an electron
C a neutron
D a nucleus
(c) Explain how an atom becomes ionised by radiation.
(2)
. . . . . . ..................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ........................................................................................................................................... . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . ..................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ........................................................................................................................................... . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . ..................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ........................................................................................................................................... . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . ..................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ........................................................................................................................................... . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
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*(d) The removable lens of this old camera has four pieces of glass in it.
removable lens
⎫
⎪
⎬
⎪⎭
One of the pieces of glass is radioactive. Its surface is covered with a thin layer of
magnesium fluoride.
Radioactive isotopes in the glass emit alpha, beta and gamma radiation in all
directions.
A scientist removes the lens from the camera. She measures the radiation coming
from the back, front and side of the lens.
The amount of radiation is different in each direction.
No alpha radiation is detected.
The readings are shown on the diagram.
radioactive glass
with surface layer
ordinary glass
720 Bq from
the back
110 Bq from
the front
thick aluminium
105 Bq from
the side
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Explain why the readings in the three directions are different.
(6)
. . . . . . .................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ........................................................................................................................................... . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . .................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ........................................................................................................................................... . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . .................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ........................................................................................................................................... . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . .................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ........................................................................................................................................... . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . .................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ........................................................................................................................................... . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . .................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ........................................................................................................................................... . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . .................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ........................................................................................................................................... . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . .................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ........................................................................................................................................... . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . .................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ........................................................................................................................................... . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . .................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ........................................................................................................................................... . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . .................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ........................................................................................................................................... . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . .................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ........................................................................................................................................... . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . .................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ........................................................................................................................................... . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . .................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ........................................................................................................................................... . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . .................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ........................................................................................................................................... . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . .................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ........................................................................................................................................... . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(Total for Question 6 = 12 marks)
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Radioactive
materials
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3 (a) A student watches a radioactivity demonstration.
The demonstration uses this arrangement.
source of one type of
radiation
material holder
counter
Not to
scale
detector
lead-lined box
containing
radioactive sources
The teacher puts different materials in the holder.
Then she measures the radiation entering the detector.
Here are the results.
material in the holder
radiation entering detector
(counts per minute)
nothing (only air)
121
paper
17
aluminium
17
thick lead
17
(i) Complete the sentence by putting a cross ( ) in the box next to your answer.
The radiation from the source is
(1)
A alpha particles
B beta particles
C gamma rays
D X-rays
(ii) The teacher returns the radioactive source to the box.
Suggest why the box is lined with lead.
(1)
. . . . . . . ................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ............................................................................................................................................. . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . ................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ............................................................................................................................................. . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
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(iii) The counter still gives a reading.
The teacher says this is caused by background radiation.
State one source of background radiation.
(1)
. . . . . . .................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ........................................................................................................................................... . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(iv) The teacher takes precautions to protect her students from the radiation
emitted by the radioactive sources.
State two suitable precautions that protect the students.
(2)
1 . . ................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ............................................................................................................................................ . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2 . . ................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ............................................................................................................................................ . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(b) Radon is a radioactive gas which emits alpha particles.
(i) A sample of air contains 6 mg of radon.
Radon has a half-life of 4 days.
Calculate the mass of the radon remaining after 8 days.
Show your working.
(2)
mass remaining after 8 days = .............................................. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . mg
(ii) Some places have rocks which release radon gas.
Explain why people living in these places may have an increased risk of
long-term health problems.
(2)
. . . . . . .................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ........................................................................................................................................... . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . .................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ........................................................................................................................................... . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . .................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ........................................................................................................................................... . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . .................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ........................................................................................................................................... . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(Total for Question 2 = 9 marks)
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Measuring radioactivity
4 (a) A scientist uses a Geiger counter to measure the radioactivity of a sample.
She writes down the results in her notebook.
The Geiger counter gives a count rate of 120 counts per minute.
The average background radiation in her laboratory is 10 counts per minute.
(i) What should she write down for the count rate of this sample?
Put a cross ( ) in the box next to your answer.
(1)
A
12 counts per minute
B
110 counts per minute
C
130 counts per minute
D 1200 counts per minute
(ii) Name one source of background radiation.
(1)
. . . . . . ..................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ............................................................................................................................................. . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(iii) Explain why some people are exposed to more background radiation than
others.
(2)
. . . . . . ..................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ............................................................................................................................................. . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . ..................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ............................................................................................................................................. . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . ..................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ............................................................................................................................................. . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . ..................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ............................................................................................................................................. . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
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(iv) Complete the sentence by putting a cross ( ) in the box next to your answer.
The recommended safe limit for exposure to radiation has been reduced over
the last 80 years.
This is because now
(1)
A better instruments allow scientists to make measurements more quickly
B global warming has increased the rate of decay of radioactive materials
C humans release more radioactive materials into the environment
D scientists have a better understanding of the dangers of radiation
(b) After the accident at the Fukushima nuclear plant in Japan, some drinking water
became contaminated with radioactive iodine-131.
The graph shows how the activity of a sample of iodine-131 changes over two
weeks.
140
120
100
activity
in Bq
80
60
40
20
0
5
10
15
time in days
(i) Use the graph to estimate the half-life of the iodine-131.
Show your working clearly.
(2)
half-life = ................................................ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . days
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(ii) The recommended safe limit for a sample of this size is 100 Bq.
How long did it take for the activity of the sample to decay until it was below
the safe limit?
(1)
time taken = ................................................. . . . . . . . . . . . . . days
(iii) When iodine-131 decays, it emits beta radiation.
State one possible danger to health from exposure to beta radiation.
(1)
. . . . . . .................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ........................................................................................................................................... . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . .................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ........................................................................................................................................... . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(Total for Question 2 = 9 marks)
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5 (a) Figure 3 shows the structure of an oxygen-14 atom.
(i) Complete the four labels on Figure 3.
(4)
................................................
..................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .



.......................................... . . . . . .
..................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Figure 3
(ii) Which of these particles has a negative charge?
(1)
A alpha particle
B electron
C neutron
D nucleus
(iii) State the overall charge of the oxygen-14 atom.
(1)
. . . . . . .................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ........................................................................................................................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . .................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ........................................................................................................................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
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(b) A teacher uses a Geiger-Müller tube and a counter to measure background radiation.
The reading on the counter tube is 34 counts per minute.
(i) The teacher puts a source of beta radiation 15 cm in front of the same Geiger-Müller
tube.
The reading on the counter tube is now 468 counts per minute.
Calculate how much radiation detected by the Geiger-Müller tube comes from
the source of beta radiation.
.............................................................
(1)
counts per minute
(ii) The teacher puts a thick sheet of aluminium between the source of
beta radiation and the Geiger-Müller tube.
Estimate the reading on the counter tube.
(1)
.............................................................
(iii) Give a reason why the answer to (ii) is only an estimate.
counts per minute
(1)
. . . . . . ................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ........................................................................................................................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . ................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ........................................................................................................................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(Total for Question 3 = 9 marks)
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Radioactivity
Question Paper 6
Level
Edexcel
Subject
Physics
Exam Board
GCSE(9-1)
Topic
Radioactivity
Sub Topic
Radioactivity
Booklet
Question Paper 6
Time Allowed:
38 minutes
Score:
/31
Percentage:
/100
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1 (a) Americium-241 is a radioactive isotope that emits alpha particles.
Americium-241 is used in smoke alarms.
Give a reason why it is safe to use americium-241 in smoke alarms.
(1)
. . . . . . . ................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ............................................................................................................................................ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . ................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ............................................................................................................................................ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(b) Iodine-131 is a radioactive isotope with a half-life of 8 days.
The activity of a sample of iodine-131 is 480 Bq.
Calculate the activity of the sample after 16 days.
(2)
activity = .............................. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Bq
(c) A student uses 59 dice to model radioactive decay.
He starts by rolling all the dice at the same time.
He removes all the dice that show a six.
He then rolls the remaining dice.
The student repeats this process five more times.
State two improvements the student could make to his model of radioactive decay.
(2)
1 . . . ................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ............................................................................................................................................ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
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2 . . . ................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ............................................................................................................................................ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
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*(d) Radioactive isotopes can be used to investigate cancer and other illnesses.
The thyroid gland in the neck absorbs most of the iodine that our bodies need.
A person can become ill if their thyroid absorbs too little iodine.
Explain how a radioactive isotope with suitable properties may be used to
investigate the uptake of iodine by this gland.
(6)
. . . . . . .................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ........................................................................................................................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
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. . . . . . .................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ........................................................................................................................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . .................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ........................................................................................................................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . .................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ........................................................................................................................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . .................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ........................................................................................................................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
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. . . . . . .................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ........................................................................................................................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . .................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ........................................................................................................................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . .................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ........................................................................................................................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . .................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ........................................................................................................................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . .................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ........................................................................................................................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(Total for Question 10 = 11 marks)
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Cyclotrons and collisions
2 (a) Cyclotrons are used to make radioactive isotopes for medical purposes.
Charged particles move in a circular path.
(i) Complete the sentence by putting a cross ( ) in the box next to your answer.
The field used to keep charged particles moving in a circular path in a
cyclotron is
(1)
A nuclear
B magnetic
C gravitational
D electric
(ii) State what causes the charged particles to increase their speed as they go
around the cyclotron.
(1)
. . . . . . ..................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ........................................................................................................................................... . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(iii)
i Describe how scientists use the charged particles from a cyclotron to produce
radioactive isotopes.
(2)
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(b) Some radioactive
isotopes
emit positrons.
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Positrons are used to make gamma rays.
When a positron annihilates an electron, two gamma rays are produced.
(i) Which diagram shows the directions of the two gamma rays produced?
Put a cross ( ) in the box next to your answer.
(1)
A
B
C
D
(ii) Explain how charge is conserved when an electron annihilates a positron.
(3)
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(iii)
i Explain how mass and energy are conserved when an electron annihilates a positron.
(2)
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(Total for Question 4 = 10 marks)
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Radioactive sources
3 (a) Cobalt-60 is a radioactive substance.
A nucleus of cobalt-60 contains 27 protons and 33 neutrons.
(i) Complete the sentence by putting a cross ( ) in the box next to your answer.
The number of electrons in a neutral atom of cobalt-60 is
(1)
A 87
B 60
C 33
D 27
(ii) Cobalt-60 decays by emitting gamma radiation.
Explain what happens to the mass of a cobalt-60 atom when a gamma ray is
emitted.
(2)
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(b) Gamma radiation from cobalt-60 can be used to destroy tumours.
The diagram shows how gamma radiation is used to destroy a brain tumour.
shield
cobalt-60 source
(i) Complete the sentence by putting a cross ( ) in the box next to your answer.
Gamma radiation is used because
(1)
A gamma can penetrate further than alpha or beta
B gamma is more ionising than alpha or beta
C gamma is always safer than alpha or beta
D gamma has a shorter half-life than alpha or beta
(ii) Describe what the shield is used for.
(2)
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(iii) Suggest two advantages that this kind of treatment has over other forms of
treatment for tumours.
(2)
1 . . . ................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ........................................................................................................................................... . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
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2 . . . ................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ........................................................................................................................................... . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
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(iv) Explain why several beams of gamma radiation are used instead of just one.
(2)
. . . . . . . ................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ............................................................................................................................................ . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
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(Total for Question 4 = 10 marks)
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Nuclear Fusion & Nuclear
Fission
Question Paper 1
Level
Edexcel
Subject
Physics
Exam Board
GCSE(9-1)
Topic
Radioactivity
Sub Topic
Nuclear Fusion & Nuclear Fission
Booklet
Question Paper 1
Time Allowed:
53 minutes
Score:
/44
Percentage:
/100
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Nuclear fission and radiation
1 The diagram shows parts of a nuclear power station.
control rods
boiler
steam
generator
electricity out
turbine
condenser
nuclear
reactor
(a) (i) Which part of the power station provides thermal (heat) energy from a chain
reaction?
Put a cross ( ) in the box next to your answer.
(1)
A nuclear reactor
B turbine
C generator
D condenser
(ii) Which part of the power station transfers kinetic energy into electrical
energy?
Put a cross ( ) in the box next to your answer.
(1)
A nuclear reactor
B boiler
C turbine
D generator
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(b) An isotope of krypton, krypton-89, is produced in the nuclear reactor.
A nucleus of this isotope can be represented as
89
36
Kr
Describe the structure of a nucleus of krypton-89.
(4)
(c) Use words from the box to complete the following sentence.
The words may be used once, more than once, or not at all.
(2)
alpha
atom
beta
molecule
neutron
nucleus
During nuclear fission, a uranium-235 ........................................................... splits
when it absorbs a slow moving ........................................................... .
(d) There are many control rods in a nuclear reactor.
Explain how control rods are used to reduce the number of nuclear reactions in
the reactor.
(2)
(Total for Question 3 = 10 marks)
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Nuclear fusion and nuclear fission
2 (a) The nucleus of a hydrogen atom can be represented by this symbol:
1
1
H
(i) Complete this sentence by putting a cross ( ) in the box next to your answer.
The symbol shows that the nucleus consists of
(1)
A 1 proton and 1 neutron
B 1 proton only
C 1 neutron only
D 1 neutron and 1 electron.
(ii) Two other isotopes of hydrogen are deuterium (D) and tritium (T).
Their nuclei can be represented by these symbols:
2
1
D
3
1
T
State how these symbols show that they are isotopes of hydrogen.
(1)
. . . . . . . .................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ............................................................................................................................................ . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
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(b) Nuclear fusion can occur if a deuterium and a tritium nucleus can be brought
close enough to each other.
This fusion produces a helium nucleus and releases a neutron.
(i) Compare the charges of a helium nucleus and a neutron.
(2)
. . . . . . . .................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ............................................................................................................................................ . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
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(ii) Nuclear fusion is an important process.
Scientists have said ‘without nuclear fusion, there would be no life on Earth’.
Explain why nuclear fusion is important to life on Earth.
(2)
. . . . . . . .................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ............................................................................................................................................ . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
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*(c) Neutrons are also released during nuclear fission.
Describe how the neutrons released in nuclear fission are used to produce a
controlled chain reaction in a nuclear reactor.
(6)
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. . . . . . . ................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ............................................................................................................................................ . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . ................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ............................................................................................................................................ . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . ................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ............................................................................................................................................ . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . ................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ............................................................................................................................................ . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . ................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ............................................................................................................................................ . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . ................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ............................................................................................................................................ . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(Total for Question 6 = 12 marks)
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Nuclear reactors
3 (a) Fast neutrons are released during nuclear fission.
(i) Three different components of a nuclear fission reactor are shown.
Three different materials used in a nuclear fission reactor are also shown.
Draw one line from each component to the material it contains.
(2)
Component
M terial
fuel
boron
(absorbs neutrons)
control rod
moderator
uranium
(releases neutrons)
graphite
(slows neutrons)
(ii) Another type of nuclear reactor is a fusion reactor.
Nuclear fusion also releases fast neutrons.
Suggest why a nuclear fusion reactor does not need anything to slow these
neutrons down.
(1)
. . . . . . . .................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ............................................................................................................................................ . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
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(b) Both nuclear fission
andawesome
nuclear
fusion
release
thermal
energy.
Describe how the thermal energy released could be converted into electrical
energy in a power station.
(3)
. . . . . . . . . .................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .......................................................................................................................................... . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . .................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .......................................................................................................................................... . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
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*(c) Scientists and engineers are still trying to build a practical and economic nuclear
fusion reactor.
They have not been able to sustain the extreme conditions needed for controlled
nuclear fusion.
Explain what these conditions are and why they are needed.
(6)
. . . . . . . . . .................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .......................................................................................................................................... . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
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(Total for Question 5 = 12 marks)
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Double alpha emission
4 Beryllium-9 is a stable isotope of beryllium.
(a) (i) State the meaning of the term stable.
(1)
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(ii) Beryllium-9 has an atomic number of 4 and a mass number of 9.
A nucleus of this isotope can be described using this symbol.
9
4
Be
Complete the sentence by putting a cross ( ) in the box next to your answer.
The number of neutrons in this nucleus is
A
4
B
5
C
9
(1)
D 13
(iii) Which one of these symbols describes the nucleus of a different isotope of
beryllium?
Put a cross ( ) in the box next to your answer.
8
4
Be
A
Be
8
5
B
(1)
9
4
9
5
B
Be
C
D
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(b) A beryllium-9 nucleus absorbs a neutron.
After a short time the new nucleus splits into two neutrons and two alpha particles.
(i) Complete the flow chart for this reaction.
(2)
.........................................................
nucleus
neutron
neutron
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..........
nucleus
neutron
.........................................................
(ii) Compare this nuclear reaction with the fission of a uranium nucleus.
nucleus
(3)
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(iii) A fission reaction can be the start of a chain reaction.
Describe what needs to happen next to produce a chain reaction.
(2)
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(Total for Question 4 = 10 marks)
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Nuclear Fusion & Nuclear
Fission
Question Paper 2
Level
Edexcel
Subject
Physics
Exam Board
GCSE(9-1)
Topic
Radioactivity
Sub Topic
Nuclear Fusion & Nuclear Fission
Booklet
Question Paper 2
Time Allowed:
59 minutes
Score:
/49
Percentage:
/100
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Ionising radiations
1 Ionising radiations are emitted by unstable nuclei.
(a) (i) Which particle has the same mass as but opposite charge to a β+ particle?
Put a cross ( ) in the box next to your answer.
(1)
A electron
B positron
C proton
D neutron
(ii) Suggest why a beta particle will travel further in air than an alpha particle.
(2)
. . . . .................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ............................................................................................................................................ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
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(b) Complete the sentence by putting a cross ( ) in the box next to your answer.
Following the radioactive decay of a nucleus, the nucleus might undergo some
rearrangement, losing energy as
A gamma radiation
B a proton
C a neutron
D an X-ray
(1)
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(c) Some unstable nuclei decay by emitting β− radiation.
(i) Describe the process of β− emission.
(3)
.................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ........................................................................................................................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
.................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ........................................................................................................................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
.................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ........................................................................................................................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
.................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ........................................................................................................................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
.................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ........................................................................................................................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
.................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ........................................................................................................................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(ii) Explain what happens to the mass number and the atomic number of a
nucleus when β− emission occurs.
(3)
.................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ........................................................................................................................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
.................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ........................................................................................................................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
.................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ........................................................................................................................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
.................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ........................................................................................................................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
.................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ........................................................................................................................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
.................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ........................................................................................................................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(Total for Question 3 = 10 marks)
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Nuclear energy
2 Electricity is generated in a nuclear power station.
The diagram shows the first stages in this process.
boiler
reactor
(a) The thermal energy released in the reactor is used to generate steam.
Describe how the steam is used to generate electricity.
(2)
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(b) Energy is released by a nuclear chain reaction.
Describe how the fission of a uranium-235 nucleus can start off a chain reaction.
You may draw a diagram to help with your answer.
(3)
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(c) One of the products of the fission of uranium-235 is barium-142.
Which of these could be a product of the same reaction?
Put a cross ( ) in the box next to your answer.
(1)
A krypton-91
B krypton-95
C krypton-98
D krypton-100
(d) Barium-142 emits beta radiation.
Beta radiation is ionising.
Explain what happens when beta radiation ionises.
(2)
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(e) A fusion reaction does not have radioactive products.
However, it needs large amounts of energy to make it happen.
Explain why large amounts of energy are needed to make a fusion reaction
happen.
(2)
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. . . . . . . ................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ............................................................................................................................................ . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . ................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ............................................................................................................................................ . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . ................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ............................................................................................................................................ . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(Total for Question 4 = 10 marks)
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Power from the nucleus
3 The fuel in a nuclear power station is an isotope of uranium.
(a) The symbol for a nucleus of this uranium isotope is 235
92U.
(i) How many protons are there in a nucleus of this isotope?
Put a cross ( ) in the box next to your answer.
(1)
A
92
B 143
C 235
D 327
(ii) Name another particle in a nucleus of this isotope.
(1)
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(b) Nuclear fission is the reaction that happens in a nuclear power station.
Explain what happens when nuclear fission occurs.
(2)
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(c) Control rods are used in the nuclear reactor.
Explain how these rods stop the nuclear reaction from getting out of control.
(2)
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(d) Describe how the thermal energy produced by the nuclear reaction is used to
produce electricity.
You may draw a diagram to help with your answer.
(2)
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. . . . . . ..................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ........................................................................................................................................... . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
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(Total for Question 2 = 8 marks)
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Nuclear particles and reactions
4 (a) The diagram represents an atom of beryllium (Be).
Not to
scale
proton
X
(i) State the name of the particle labelled X.
(1)
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(ii) Which of these is the correct symbol for this nucleus of beryllium?
Put a cross ( ) in the box next to your answer.
(1)
5
4
Be
A
5
9
Be
B
9
5
Be
C
9
4
Be
D
(iii) Explain how a beryllium atom can become a positive ion.
(2)
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(b) Nuclear fusion is one type of nuclear reaction.
Nuclear fusion reactions release energy in the Sun.
Describe what happens during nuclear fusion.
(2)
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*(c) Nuclear fission is another type of nuclear reaction.
In some nuclear reactors, the controlled fission of uranium-235 (U-235) is used to
release thermal energy.
Describe the process of fission and its control in a nuclear reactor.
You may draw a labelled diagram to help with your answer.
(6)
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. . . . . . . . .................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ............................................................................................................................................ . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . .................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ............................................................................................................................................ . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . .................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ............................................................................................................................................ . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . .................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ............................................................................................................................................ . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
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. . . . . . . . .................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ............................................................................................................................................ . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . .................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ............................................................................................................................................ . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(Total for Question 5 = 12 marks)
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Nuclear power
5 (a) Two isotopes of uranium are U-235 and U-238.
Here are the symbols of the nuclei of these isotopes.
235
92
U
and
238
92
U
(i) Complete the sentence by putting a cross ( ) in the box next to your answer.
The U-235 isotope has
(1)
A the same number of neutrons as U-238
B the same number of protons as U-238
C more neutrons than U-238
D more protons than U-238
(ii) U-235 is radioactive.
When it decays, it releases an alpha particle.
Describe an alpha particle.
(2)
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(b) U-235 can also be made to undergo fission.
Describe what happens during nuclear fission.
(4)
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(c) Fission is used in nuclear reactors.
Graphite is used as a moderator in nuclear reactors.
Explain why a moderator is needed in a nuclear reactor.
(2)
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(Total for Question 3 = 9 marks)
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Nuclear Fusion & Nuclear
Fission
Question Paper 3
Level
Edexcel
Subject
Physics
Exam Board
GCSE(9-1)
Topic
Radioactivity
Sub Topic
Nuclear Fusion & Nuclear Fission
Booklet
Question Paper 3
Time Allowed:
51 minutes
Score:
/42
Percentage:
/100
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four atoms.
1 Figure 7 shows the nuclei
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234
92
U
uranium-234
235
238
92
94
U
Pu
238
Am
95
uranium-235 plutonium-238 americium-238
Figure 7
(a) Which two nuclei have the same number of neutrons?
A plutonium-238
and
uranium-235
B
uranium-235
and
americium-238
C
uranium-234
and
americium-238
D americium-238
and
plutonium-238
(b) (i) State what is meant by the term ‘half-life’.
(1)
(1)
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(ii) Plutonium-238 is used in spacecraft to provide heat to power generators.
One of these generators contains 925 g of plutonium-238 when it is manufactured.
One gram of plutonium-238 has a power density of 0.54 W/g.
Plutonium-238 has a half-life of 87.7 years.
Calculate the average energy released per second by the generator after 263 years.
(4)
average energy released per second = ............................. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (J)
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(c) The nucleus of americium-238 can absorb an electron.
When this happens, one of the protons in the nucleus becomes a neutron, as
shown in Figure 8.
1
p
1
+
0
–1
e
1
n
0
Figure 8
(i) Describe how absorbing an electron affects the proton number and the
nucleon number of a nucleus.
(2)
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(ii) Deduce which nucleus is formed when americium-238 absorbs an electron.
(1)
A uranium-234
B uranium-235
C plutonium-238
D americium-238
(Total for Question 6 = 9 marks)
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2 In a nuclear reactor, a chain reaction is produced and controlled.
(a) (i) Uranium-235 is the isotope used in many nuclear reactors.
Explain how the fission of uranium-235 can lead to a chain reaction.
(4)
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(ii) Nuclei of beryllium-9 do not absorb neutrons.
Instead, nuclei of beryllium-9 absorb alpha particles and emit neutrons.
Give a reason why a chain reaction can result from the emission of neutrons
by uranium nuclei but not by beryllium nuclei.
(1)
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(b) Explain what happen inside a nuclear reactor if neutron speeds are not controlled.
(3)
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(c) Describe how the energy released in the chain reaction in a nuclear reactor is
used to drive a turbine in a nuclear power station.
(3)
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(Total for Question 10 = 11 marks)
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Uranium-238
3 Uranium-238 is an isotope of uranium. It may undergo either radioactive decay or
nuclear fission.
A nucleus of uranium-238 is shown as Q in the chart.
94
N
92
Q
O
atomic
number
90
88
M
P
230
234
L
86
226
238
mass number
(a) State two letters from the chart which show isotopes of the same element.
...................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(1)
and . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(b) Explain what happens when Q decays to P.
(2)
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(c) Explain what happens when P decays to O.
(2)
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(d) Particles released during radioactive decay can have different energies.
A suitable unit for these energies is MeV.
For one type of decay, the particles released have energies between 4.0 MeV and
10.0 MeV.
The graph shows how far the particles with these energies travel in air.
15.0
10.0
distance
travelled in
air / cm
5.0
0.0
4.0
5.0
6.0
7.0
8.0
9.0
10.0
energy of particle released / MeV
(i) State the name of this type of particle.
(1)
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(ii) Use information from the graph to describe how the distance travelled in air
depends on the energy of the particle.
(2)
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(e) Uranium-238 can only undergo nuclear fission by absorbing fast neutrons.
The fission emits neutrons which very quickly lose their energy.
Suggest why the fission of uranium-238 does not produce a chain reaction.
(2)
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(Total for Question 4 = 10 marks)
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Radioactivity – natural and useful
4 (a) (i) One source of background radiation is radon gas.
State another source of background radiation.
(1)
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(ii) Which of these two statements about background radiation are correct?
1
Radon gas from nuclear power stations is the main cause of background
radiation.
2
Background radiation can be detected during radioactive experiments.
(1)
A statement 1 only
B statement 2 only
C both statement 1 and statement 2
D neither statement 1 nor statement 2
(iii) Background radiation from radon gas is different from place to place in the
UK.
Explain these differences in background radiation.
(2)
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(b) Scientists have changed their ideas about the hazards from radioactive sources.
Describe how their ideas have changed since radioactivity was first discovered.
(2)
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*(c) The diagram shows how rollers can change the thickness of paper in a factory.
A thickness gauge controls the rollers.
The thickness gauge contains a radioactive source and a detector.
If the paper is too thick, the reading on the detector goes down.
This causes the rollers to be pushed closer together.
radioactive
source
roller
paper
radioactivity
detector
The radioactive source used must be chosen carefully to be effective and used in
a way that is not a hazard to workers.
Discuss the factors to consider when choosing and using this radioactive source.
(6)
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(Total for Question 6 = 12 marks)